What are the Sacraments of Christianity?

Christianity.com Editorial Staff

What are Christian sacraments? Discover the meaning of sacraments from the Christian faith and the differences between denominations.

Sacrament Definition

In the Christian Church, a sacrament is a religious ceremony or ritual regarded as imparting divine grace, such as baptism, the Eucharist and (in the Roman Catholic and many Orthodox Churches) penance and the anointing of the sick.

According to dictionary.com, in an Ecclesiastical context, sacraments are a visible sign of inward grace, especially one of the solemn Christian rites considered to have been instituted by Jesus Christ to symbolize or confer grace: the sacraments of the Protestant churches are baptism and the Lord's Supper; the sacraments of the Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox churches are baptism, confirmation, the Eucharist, matrimony, penance, holy orders, and extreme unction.

According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, 'The sacraments are efficacious signs of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us' (#1131).

The Blessed Sacrament

The Blessed Sacrament is a devotional name used in many Christian denominations referring to the body and blood of Christ in the form of blessed sacramental bread and wine for a recognition of the Eucharist.  In the tradition of Christianity, the Blessed Sacrament is the presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharistic elements of the bread and wine. This belief is based on both scripture and sacred tradition.

Seven Sacraments of Catholicism

The Catholic Church acknowledges seven sacraments:

The information above of the seven sacraments provided by study.com.

Bible Verses about Sacraments

1 Peter 3:21 - Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

Acts 2:38 - And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Mark 16:16 - Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

Ephesians 2:8-9 - For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

1 Corinthians 12:13 - For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

Matthew 28:19 - Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Acts 22:16 - And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’

John 6:53 - So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.

Luke 22:19 - And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

Sources

Sacrament Definition - Dictionary.com

The 7 Catholic Sacraments: Definition & History - Study.com

Photo Credit: iStock/Getty Images Plus/Zolnierek


This article is part of our Christian Terms catalog, exploring words and phrases of Christian theology and history. Here are some of our most popular articles covering Christian terms to help your journey of knowledge and faith:

The Full Armor of God
The Meaning of "Selah"
What Is Grace? Bible Definition and Christian Quotes
What is Discernment? Bible Meaning and Importance
What Is Prophecy? Bible Meaning and Examples

More from Christianity.com